Refrigeration



p 1929- B. c. VON PLATEN ET AL 1,728,643

REFRIGERAT I ON fllli/ims p 7,1929 c. VON PLATEN E AL 11,728,643

REFRIGERA'EION Filed April 14, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 li ATTORNEY p 1929- B. c. VON PLATEN ET AL 1,728,643

REFRIGERATION Filed April 1.4, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 r FATTORNEY Sept. 17, 1929. B. c. VON PLATEN ET AL 1,723,643

' REFRIGERATION Filed April 14, 1927 s Sheets-Sheet 5 6 Y :/NEN% E ail M #064 TTORNEY Patented Sept. 17,1929

UNITED STATES PATENT-OFFICE BALTZAB CARL VON PLA'IEN AND CARL GEOBG HUNTERS, OF STOOKHOLM, SWEDEN,

ASSIGNOBS TO ELECTROLUX SERVEL CORPORATION, OF'NEW YORK,

POBATIQN OF DELAWARE N. Y., A 003- REFRIGERATION Application fl led April 14, 1927, Serial No. 188,675, and in Sweden Kay 1, 1926.

Our invention relates to the art of refrigeration and particularly to refrigerating systems of the absorption type in which the circulation of fluids is effected by forces generated entirely within the system.

Our invention contemplates various improvements in the method of circulating fluids within refrigeration systems. One characteristic of the present invention is the production of reciprocatory, oscillatory or similar movement to a body, the movement of which body causes fluid transportation within the system. We preferably utilize work developed within the system to move the body and, in the preferred form, a movement of liquid is produced due to rise of pressure and sudden release of pressure.

Other objects, the nature and advantages of the invention will appear from the followingdescription and accompanying drawings,

of which:

Fig. 1 shows diagrammatically an absorption refrigerating system embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a'valve, partly in cross-section, which may be used in carrying out the invention;

Fig. 3 shows another valve, partly in crosssection, which may be used in carrying out the invention;

Fig. 4 shows more or less diagrammatically one form of the invention; I

Fig. 5 shows more or less diagrammatically z modification of the apparatus shown in Fig.6 shows more'or less diagrammatically another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 7 shows'more or less diagrammatically a modification of the embodiment 'shown in Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a drawing, partly in cross-section, of an apparatus constructed according to the invention.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1, ref- 5 erence character 10 designates a generator.

whichis divided into a main generator 11 --situated above an auxiliary generator 12 by a partition 13. A conduit 14 extends for some distance upwardly from the upper part of main generator 11 and thence downwardly.

to the upper part of evaporator 15. The up wardly extending portion of conduit 14 is supplied with radiating fins 16 while the downwardly extending portion passes through a water jacket 17.

Within substantially the whole of evaporator 15 is situated a series of disks 18 in which are formed apertures 19 surrounded by raised rims 20. Reference character A deslgnates generally a paratus, including conduits, the function 0 which is to promote circlation of vapor from-the upper part of evaporator 15 to the upper part of an absorber 21 and from the lower part of absorber 21 to the lower part of evaporator 15 and may also include a means of heat exchange between the vapors so circulated.

Within absorber 21 is situated a series of disks 22 which may be similar to disks 18 in evaporator 15. Absorber 21 is partially surrounded by a water jacket 23. Cooling water is supplied to water jacket 23 through a conduit 24 and is discharged through conduit 25 'to water jacket 17 from whence it is discharged through conduit 26. A conduit 27 communicates with the bottom of absorber 21, passes through heat exchanger 28, and communicates with the upper part of auxiliary generator 12.

thermo-siphon conduit 29 connects auxiliary generator 12 with the upper part of main generator 11. A portion of conduit 29 extends for "some distance downwardly within auxiliary generator 12 and is here provided with one or more capillary ports 30. A passageway 31, in which is situated a heating element 32, extends centrally through auxiliary generator 12 and for some distance within main generator 11. A conduit 33 connects the lower part of main generator 11 with heat exchanger 28 and a conduit 34.- connects heat exchanger 28 with the upper part of absorber 21. 1 The operation of this apparatus is as folows:

Heating element 32 supplies heat to the solution of a refrigerant, for instance ammonia, dissolved in an absorbing medium, for instance water, which is contained in main generator 11. The application of heat drives 1 the ammonia out of solutionand it passes upwardly as a vapor through conduit 14'. Any water vapor that accompanies the am; monia vapor is condensed to a liquid in the upwardly extending portion of conduit 14 which is provided with radiating fins 16 and the water so formed runs back to generator 11 The dry ammonia vapor continues through conduit 14 and-is condensed to a liquid in that downwardly extending portion of conduit 14 whichis surrounded by water jacket 17. The liquid ammonia runs into the top of evaporator 15 where it is distributed over disks 18. Here the liquid ammonia comes in intimate contact with, and evaporates in the presence'of, a gas, inert with retor under the influence o spect to ammonia, for instance hydrogen, which isintroduced into the evaporator at the'bottom thereof. The evaporation of the ammonia results in a low temperature which produces refrigeration. o

The gaseous mixture of ammonia andhy- 'drogen passes out of the to of the evaporathe circulatory means designated generally'by Aand enters the top of absorber 21. In'the absorber the gaseous mixture comes in intimate contactwith water which contains but relatively little ammonia in solution and which enters the top of absorber 21 through conduit 34. This water absorbs the ammonia gas while the hydrogen remains unabsorbed and passes out the bottom of absorber 21 under the influence of the circulatory means A and enters the lower part of evap0rator'15. Heat generated by the absorptionprocess is carried away by the cooling water in water jacket 23.

The strong solution of ammonia in water formed within absorber 21 runs by gravity therefrom 'throughconduit 27 to auxiliary generator 12. The application of heat to the solution in auxiliary generator 12 causes the formation of vapor in the top thereof and this vapor passes through capillary ports 30 and forms gas bubbles in the liquid contained. in therrho-siphon conduit 29. The presence of .these gas bubbles in conduit 29 reduces the specific weight of the, fluid column'as-a whole therein to such an extent that the liquid column in and below absorber 21 causes flow upwardly through conduit 29- to the upper part of main generator 11. main generator 11 the ammonia is again driven out of solution, as previously described, and the weak solution passes downwardly threthrough and through conduit 33 to heat exchange member 28. Within member 28 heat passes from the hot weak solution to the cool strong, solution. in conduit/27, which serves to pre-heat the'latter before it enters the generator, while pro-cooling the former before it enters the absorber. The

weak solution paLssesfrom member'28thr'ough conduit34 to the top of the absorber. For further consideration of this type of apparatus in general and its system of operation, reference may be had to our Patent No.

1,609,334 granted December 7 1926.-

\, ihe apparatus shown in Fig. 4 may be considered as a part of the apparatus of Fig. 1 and an evaporator 15, an absorber 21, and apparatus, designated generally by A, for the promotionof circulation between them. A conduit 35 connects the upper part of evaporator 15 with the central part of cylindrical member 36. Member 36 consists of two intercommunicating cylinders 37 and 38. Cylinder 37, which is below cylinder 38, has a somewhat smaller diameter than cylinder 38. A pistgn 39 is slidably mounted in cylinder 37 and piston'41 is slidably inder 38 and the two pistons are rigidly connected together by rod 40 of such length "that the pistons will be in similar positions in their respective cylinders. A conduit 42 connects the upper part of evaporator 15 with a valve 43.

Valve 43 is shown more in' detail in Fig. 2. It is so constructed as to open at a predetermined high ressure on its inlet side and to reinain open or a predetermined period of time. Valve 43 comprises a housing44, which has a central passageway 45. Inlet conduit 42 communicates with passageway 45 as shown. Passageway 45 is restricted so as to form a valve seat 46 and communicates with an outlet conduit 47. A'valve member 48 is attached to member 49, which is slid able in passageway 45. Member- 49 is provided with a number of longitudinal slots 50 through which fluid may pass. Member 49 is attached to a stem-51, which is secured in any suitable manner to diaphragm 52. One end of passageway 45 is partially closed by a partition 53. Stem 51 passes through an opening 54 in partition 53. A collar 55 is secured to stem 51 at some distance from the /point wheredthe stem passes through open ing 54. One end of an expandible and contractable bellows or sylphon 56 is secured to partition .53, while the other end is secured to collar 55. A small passageway 57 allows a limited amount of communication between The circumference of diaphra clamped between housing 44 an another housing 59.- Diaphragm 52 is made of suitable stifllinaterial, preferably metallic, and is dished so that it will not move in response to slight'variations of pressure but will remain stationary until a considerable pressure difference'has been'developed when its more'central portion will move a considerable distance with a snap. A central passageway 60 is formed within housing 59. ,Theouter end of passageway 60 is provided with screw threadsinto which may be screwed a plug 61. Plug 61' serves to retain a spiral spring 62, the other end of which presses against the central part of diaphragm 52. Plug 61- may 4 be screwed varying distances into' member 59 thereby varying the compression in spring 62, which may be used to determine the pressure at which diaphragm 52 will snap andopen the valve. Conduit 47 connects the. outlet of valve 43 with the top of cylinder 38..

3 a valve seat 68 for ball 67. When vno fluid it firmly against seat 68.

is passing, ball 67 rests on valve seat 68 by gravity and prevents communication between conduit 47 and chamber 65. Any tendency towards .flow from chamber, 65 into conduit 47 will serve to force ball 67 more On the other hand, 5 for flow to take place from conduit 47 to chamber 65, it is not necessary that suflicient force be exerted to lift ball 67 bodily from seat 68 as it will roll slightly on seat 68 and thus uncover the opening.

0 A conduit 71 connects the outlet of valve.

70 with the top of absorber 21. A conduit 72 connects the bottom of absorber 21 with the inlet of valve 73 which is another valve.

similar to valve 70. A conduit 74 connects the outletof valve 73 with the bottom of cylinder 37 -A conduit 7 5 connects the bottom of cylinder 37 with the inlet of valve 76,

- which again isa valve of the type of valve 7 O. A conduit 77 connects the outlet of valve- 76 with the bottom of evaporator 15.

The operation of this form of the invention is as follows: i Liquid animpnia is introduced into evaporator through conduit 14 and evaporates in the presence of hydrogen in a manner si milar to that explained in connection with Fig.

1., Due to this evaporationthe pressure in-,

creases in evaporator 15. Valve 76 will'not I allow flow therethrough as it is a one way valve and allows only flow into-the evaporator .and valve 43 is closed as it is adjusted to open ata has not as yet beenreached.

will,'howevef, be transmitted through con- 1 duit to. the central part of cylindrical member 36 and will act downwardly on piston 39 and upwardly on piston 41. As piston 41 has agreater surface than piston 39, theias-l semblage consisting of pistons 39 and 41 and piston rod 40 will. move upwardly. The vaporous mixture of ammonnia andhydrogen which is in cylinder 38, as will be explained presently, is forcedout through conduit 69, valve 70 and conduit 71 into absorber 21,

and c ose the Va has reached the given pressure and this pressure Th1s pressure- ,of evaporated ammonia where the ammonia is absorbed in a manner sorb similar to that described in connection with Fig. 1. At the same time relatively pure hydrogen is drawn from the bottom of absorber 21 through conduit 72, valve 73 and conduit 74 into cylinder 37. After piston 41 reaches the top of cylinder 38, the pressure in evaporator 15 continues to increase. sure is transmitted through conduit 42 to passageway invalve 43 and from passageway 45 through opening 57 to diaphragm chamber 58 where it acts upon diaphragm 52.

" When this pressure has reached a predetermined value it causes diaphragm 52 to snap to the right, as viewed in Fig. 2, and which moves valve member 48 away from seat '46.

The pressure in evaporator 15 drops and the pistons 39 and 41 and rod 40descend due to gravity. 'The hydrogen in cylinder 37 is forced out through conduit 75, valve 76 and conduit 77 into the lower part of evaporator This pres-- 15. A portion of the vaporous mixture of ammonia and hydrogen passes out of evaporator 15 through conduit 42, valve 43, and conduit 47, into cylinder 38. This how is caused by the suction produced by piston 41 as well as bythe excess pressure which exists in the evaporator atthe instant valve 43 pe I During the time taken for the piston assemblage to descend valve 43 remains open, for, although, the pressure existing in the evaporator decreases rapidly immediately following the, opening of the valve, the pressure existing in diaphragm chamber 58 and acting upon diaphragm 52 decreases very slowly due. to the smallness of opening 57. Opening 57 pressure in chamber 58 to decrease at such a 'rate'thatjt reaches a value that permits sprin 62 to sna the diaphragm tothe left ve shortly after piston 39 bottom .of cylinder 37. Opening 57 may be adjusted by means of any suitable device such as set screws 57.

is so designed that it allows the piston 41 has a greater displacement than piston 39', the volume of ammonia-by drogen mixture circulated from theevaporatorto the absorber is greater than the vollume of hydrogen circulated from the obsorber to the evaporator. Cylinders 38 and 39 are so designed that the displacements of their respective pistons41 and 39 are to each other'as the volume of hydrogen entering is to this volume of hydrogen, plus the volume tor.

In Fig. 5 is shown a formof our invention similar to that-illustrated in Fig. 4. lhe upper part of evaporator 15 is connected to the upper part of absorber 21 through conduit 177, *valve 78, conduit 79, valve 80. and conleaving the evapora' duit 81. .Valves '78 'and SO are similar to valves 43 and 70, respectively, in. Fig. 4 and the same r 21 is connected to the lower part of way. The lower part of ab Assume the 1 contained between and conduit 84. Valve 83 is Similar to va ves 73 and 76 allowing flow as indicated by arrows. A conduit 85 communicates with conduit 82 and with the top of leg 86 of U-shaped member 87. A conduit 88 communicates with conduit 84 and with the top of leg 89 of member 87 .U-shaped member 87 is partially filled, as shown, with a liquid which may be, for instance, a solution of ammonia in water.

The operation of this apparatus is as follows: 7

to be in equilibrium, as-shown, with the level 71. existing in each leg. Evaporation of ammonia in evaporator pressure therein as was explained in connec-', tion with. Fig. 4. As valves 78 and 83 are closed, this pressure builds up through conr duits 84and-88 and leg 89 and forces the liquid dowhward in leg 89 to level -i;., and upward in leg 85 to level 71. When these levels have been reached, the pressure in evaporator 15 is sutficient to suddenly open valve 7 8. The liquid column in leg 86 of member 87 then falls and due to its inertiathe levels It, and h, are attained. A quantity of hydrogen vapor proportional to the volume included between -h, and k is forced from leg '89 to evaporator 15, while at the same time an equal volume of ammonia-hydrogen vapor is forced out of evaporator. 15 to absorber 21' and also the same volume of hydrogen is sucked from absorber 21 to leg 86. The'liquid column now oscillates in the other direction and the levels 72. and -72. are reached. A quantity of hydrogen equal to the volume levels h, and it, has .been forced out of leg 86 through conduits 85 and 82, valve 83 and conduits 84 and 88 into leg 87; During this oscillation, flow of vapor from the top of absorber 21 to the top of evaporator 15 has beenprevented by the -one way valve 80..

Valve 78.is so designed as to close at the time when the levels It, and -5 are reached and the oscillationof the liquid column is arrested. The pressure in-evapora'tor 15 again increases and forces the column in member 87 to levels h, and -'h,. Thus after the first series of oscillations, it is only necessary to raise the column in leg 86 fromJz to it, and to depress thecolumn in leg 89 fromh-r-it to k,. When valve 78 again opens, the hydrogen which was transferred to leg 89 during the previous series of oscillations'is forced into evaporator 15. During -each series a volume of ammonia-hydrogen vaporcorresponding to the levels --72., and k is forced from the evaporator to the absorber, while a smaller volume,

of hydrogen, which corresponds to the volumes included between levels-k and k,

is forced-fremthe absorber to the evaporator.

liquid in U-shaped member 87 15 causes an increase in,

volumes included between Valve 78 may also be so do open until the oscillations have about tion of the apparatus each time will be as first described, that is, the column will start from rest at the level'h each time.

the liquid column ned as to remain.

ceased. In this case the opera- Fig. 6 shows an apparatus embodying a form of our invention which. utilizes pressure generated in the generator to cause circula tion between the evaporator and the absorber.

space of the main generator and with the inlet of valve 91, which may be similar to valve 43 shown in detail in Fig. 2. A conduit 94 connects the outlet of valve 91 with the top Conduit 90 communicates" with thevapor of leg 95 of U-shaped member 96. Conduit 94 passes through water jacket 17. Conduit .92 communicates'with conduit 94 as shown and with the inlet of valve 93, whichmay be similar to valve' 70 in Fig. 3. Conduit 14 connects the outlet of valve 93 with thetop of evaporator 15.

A conduit 98 connects theltop of leg 99 of U-shaped member 96 with the top of evaporator 15. A conduit'100 connects the top of evaporator 15 with-the inlet of valve 101 which maybe similar to valve 70 of Fig.3. A conduit 102 connects the outlet of valve 101 to the top of absorber 21. A conduit 103 -connects the bottom of absorber 21 with the inlet of valve 104 which may also be similar to valve 70. A conduit 105 connects the outlet of valve 104 with the bottom of'evaporator '15. A conduit 106 connects the upper part I of absorber 21 with the top of leg 107 of- U- shaped member 108. The top of leg 109 is connected to conduit 90 by a conduit 110. U- shaped member 108 'is partially filled, as

shown, by a suitable liquid, 'asfor instance Y mercury, while U-shaped member 96 is filled with approximately the same quantity of aqua-ammonia solution.

- The mode of operation is as follows:

Assume, to start with, that valve 91 is.

closed. Pressure is built up in the generator and in conduits 90 and 110 and leg 109. This increase in pressure depressest-he level of the mercury in leg 109 to h, and raises it in leg '107 to h A quantity. of vapor. is forced through conduit 106 into absorber 21 and a similar quantity of hydrogen is forced from absorber 21 to evaporator 15 through conduit 103, valve 104 and conduit 105. As valve 93 prevents the passage of vapor out of evaporatgr 15 through conduit 14, a quantity of vapor,

corresponding 'to the quantity of hydrogen.

forced into the bottom of the evaporator, is

"forced out through conduit 98 into leg 99.

'Tl e level of the liquid in leg 99 is depressed to H and raised in' leg 95 to H The am- .monia vaporforced out of leg 95 passes into conduit 94 and is condensed to a liquid therein by the cooling efiect of the water in water jacket 17 and runs in'to conduit 92.

Whenthe level of iziis reachedin leg 19?} ,tor 15. However,

monia enters the evaporator and evaporatesin a manner similar nection with Fig. 1.

When valve 91 opens, the excess pressure in leg 109 is suddenly relieved and the column of mercury in U-shaped member 108 starts to oscillate. The pressure in leg 99 of member 96 is also reduced and the liquid in member 96 likewise starts to oscillate. I The oscillations of the columns in members 108 and 96 are very nearly in phase, although there may be a slight lag ofthe latter behind the former. The first oscillation, that is, when the levels change from it, to k,, from -h, to h,, from I-I to H forces vaporous ammonia-hydrogen from evaporator 15 through conduit 100, valve 101 and conduit 102 into absorber 21. When the two columns oscillate in the opposite direction, sorber 21 through conduit 103, valve 104 and conduit 105 into evaporator 15. Thus circu lation is maintained alternatel from the evaporator to the absorber and rom'the absorber to the evaporator, until frictional losses cause the liquid column to come to rest. Valve 91 is so designed as to close at approximately the time when the oscillations cease or become comparatively small. The pressure in leg 109'again begins to build up and the operations are repeated.

In Fig. 7 is shown a form of the invention similar to that just described in conto that described-in connection with Fig. 6, but better adapted to a system employing as a refrigerant a medium which operates under comparatively low pressures. Triethylamine is such a medium and for convenience it will ,be assumed that this is the refrigerant employed. Triethylamine is readily absorbed by water and is inert with respect to hydrogen.

Conduit 111 communicates with the vapor space of the generator and with the inlet valve,112 which may be similar to valve 43 of Fig. 2. Conduit 113 communicates with conduit 111 as shown and terminates in. a larger conduit 114. Conduit 114 communicates with the bottom of chamber 115 of Vessel 116. Vessel 116 is divided into the lower chamber 115 and an upper chamber 117 by the partition 118/ A conduit 119 extends from within the upper part of chamber 115 to within the upper part of chamber'117.

hydrogen is forced from abvessel 120 is placed at a higher elevation than vessel 116. A conduit 121 connects the bottom of chamber 117 with the bottom of vessel 120. Although conduit 121 is of comparatively small bore, it is of considerable length wound in the form of a spiral, seas to contain a large volume. of vessel 120 is connected to the upper part of absorber 21 by a conduit 122. A conduit 123 connects the bottom of absorber 21 with the inlet of a valve 124 which may be similar to valve 7 0 shown in detail in Fig. 3. A conduit 125 connects the outlet of valve 124 with the bottom of evaporator 15. A conduit 126 connects the top of evaporator 15 with the .inlet of valve 127 which may be similar to valve of Fig.3. A'conduit 128 connects the outlet of valve 127 with the top of absorber 21. I A conduit 129' connects the top of evaporator 15 with the vapor space of a ves= sel 130. A conduit 131 connects the liquid space of vessel 130 with the liquid space of a similar vessel 132. A conduit 133 connects the outlet of valve 112 with the vapor space of vessel 132 and passes for the greater part of its length through water jacket 17. A conduit 134 communicates with conduit 133 as shown and with the inlet of a valve 135 which may also be similar to valve 70 of Fig. 3. Conduit 14 connects the outlet-0f valve 135 with the top of evaporator 15.

This apparatus operates as follows:

Assume that valve 112 has just closed. Conduit 114 contains a suitable liquid, for instance mercury, up to a level 72. This body of mercury extends into chamber 115 and fills that chamber up to a level h Another body of mercury is contained in conduit 121 and extends upwardly from the level it, therein and fills vessel 120 up to the level H The intervening space between these two bodies of mercury, that is, the upper part of chamber 115, all of conduit 119, all of chamher 117 and the lower part ofv conduit 121, is filled with a suitable gas, for instance hydrogen. The m'ercury does not fall down in conduit 121 as this conduit has a bore sufficiently small so that the force of capillary attraction between the walls of the conduitand the mercury is so great that the hydrogen is unable to pass upwardly through the conduit, which would relieve the pressure of the hydrogen, and thus allow the mercury to fall down. Furthermore, as mercury has no tending to .wet the walls of a. capillary tube there is no tendency for the mercury to creep down the walls of conduit 121. are filled to the levels H, and H respectively, with liquid triethylamine.

As valve 112 has just closed, the pressure in the generator increases, .due to the application of heat thereto. This increase in pres; sure is transmitted through conduit 111 and 113 to conduit 114. The liquid level in conduit 114 is depressed from h to 11. and the The upper part Vessels 130 and 132 level in chamber 115. is raised from k to 71 duit 129 into evaporator 15. displaced This causes the bottom of the liquid column in spiral condu it 121 to ascendfrom h to 71, which raises the level in vessel 120 from H to H However, inasmuch as the length of the column which extended from h to H was greater than the length of the column which now extends from b to H thepressure head exerted by this latter column is less than that exerted by the former. Therefore, the hydrogen in vessel 116 is under less pressure and has hence increased in volume. Y If this increase in v lume is designated by V and if the volume of mercury which was displaced in conduit 114,,and passed into chamber 115 is designated by V it is seen that the volume of mercury forced into'chamber- 120 is equal to V +V 4 The increase in volume of mercury in vessel 120 displaces vapor therefrom through conduit 122 into absorber 21. thereby. forced from absorber 21 through confrom which it displaces vapor through conduit 129 into vessel 130. The vapor forced into vessel 130 depresses the level of the liquid triethylamine contained therein from H. to H The liquid thus displaced passes through conduit 131 to vessel 132 where the liquid level is raised from H toH Vapor is displaced in vessel 132 and passes into conduit 133 Where it is condensed v to a liquid by the coolingefiect of the cooling water in water acket 17.

During these changes in levels, the pressure whichexists in the apparatus, with the exception of the pressure'in vessel 116 and in the generator, has changd but slightly. The slight increase in pressure in-absorber 21 and evaporator 15 is due to the pressure head exerted by the unequal-columns of liquid in vessels 130'and 132. This head is small as the vessels 130 and 132 have acomparatively large cross-section and hence a small difference in elevation of levels H and H corresponds toa large volume displacement.

' practically constant, ,it is' seen thata volume 'When the mercury of gas equal to V which entered conduit 114 -has caused a larger volume of h drogen, -equal to V. l-V to pass from absor er 21 to evaporator 15.

- has been depressed to h, the pressure in the vessel 130 raises places vapor from-this vessel through congenerator and conduit 111 is suificient to open valve 112. Anequalization of pressure occursv throughout the s stem generator, absorber an evaporator and liquid levels return to' their "original positions. The tendency for the liquids to 05- eillate vin.this apparatus is very small, due to the small re of conduits 114, 121 and '131. i The levelofthe liquid triethylamine in from H. to H which dis- Hydrogen is p 1 no mechanical valves are employed.

As the pressure has remained level conduit '114'- including the the vapor. has a volume practically equal to ,V +V and servesto forcea correspondingvolume of gaseous ammonia-hydrogenmixture from evaporator15 through conduit 126, valve 127 and conduit 122 into absorber 21.

While valve 112 is open ammonia passes absorber and evaporator. This latter pressure is determined by the pressure required to condense the refrigerant at the temperature of the cooling water. For the value of V to be large compared'to V it is necessary that the pressure head be large compared to the pressure of the refrigerant. As constructional considerations limit the height of the mercury column, it is necessary,

in order to obtain this difference in pressure,

to select as a refrigerant one which will con dense at a low pressure. cited asan example of such a refrigerant.

In Fig. 8 is illustrated an apparatus in which is embodied a form of the invention similar to that embodied by the a paratus shown in Figs. 1- and 5. In Fig. 8,'hovve lzlr,

functions" performed by the mechanicalvalves of Figs. 4 and 5 are herein performed by'liquid devices operating as valves as will.

be explained.

The evaporator is again'designated by numeral 15 and the absorber by numeral 21. Ammonia is supplied to evaporator 15. through conduit 14 and evaporates in the evaporator in a" manner similar to that deseri ed in connection with Fig. 4:.

A conduit 136 extends from near the bottom of evaporator 15 upwardly therethrough and communicates with leg 13? of U-shaped member 138. Le 139 of member 138 is longer than leg 13 and tapered toward the top, so that a given volumetric expansion in evaporator 15 will cause a greater difference in level between the columns in th'e'two legs. Member 138 is tapered in part rather than made of va uniform small bore, so as to reduce frictional losses.

A conduit 140 connects the'lower part of absorber 21 with the top of legj139. Atom sel 142 and thence downwardly within that vessel to a point a short distance below the level of the liquid maintained therein. A conduit 143 communicates with the lowest Triethylamine is icodisk 1440f absorber 21and extends upwar F yvithin vessel 142 to a point slightl above t e ower end'of-eonduit141. .Asf e level H of the liquid on plate 144 is at all times constant, a constant level H is likewise maintained in vessel 142 inasmuch as the top of conduit 143 is at the level H A conduit 145 connects the upper part of vessel 142 with the top of leg 137.

A conduit 146 communicates with the upper part of evaporator 15 and extends downwardly within a vessel 147 to a short distance below the normal level of the liquid maintained therein. Conduits 136 and 146' are arranged in heatexchange relation at 148. A liquid level H is normally maintained in vessel 147 in a manner similarto the way in which it is maintained in vessel 142 A conduit 149 communicates with plate 144 and extends upwardly within vessel 147 to the level H v A conduit 150 is contained within vessel. 147. Conduit 150 terminates at its upper end in a funnel shaped member 151 and at' its lower end communicates with a larger conduit which latter conduit extends upwardly to a point a short distance below the level H A conduit 153 of small bore communicates with funnel shaped member 151 and with. a

larger conduit, 154. Conduit 154 extends downwardly fromconduit 153 to a point within and some distance below the upper end of conduit 152. A conduit 155 connects the top of funnel shaped member 151 with the top of absorber 21. conduit 156 communicates with funnel shaped member 151 at'a point A near the bottom ofthe inclined side thereof.

Conduit 1'56 passes downwardly and out of vessel 147 and thence upwardly so as to form a liquid seal and finally communicates with the upper part of the generator. A conduit 157 connects the bottom of evaporator 15 with plate 144 of absorber-21 and serves to drain off any liquid ammonia or other hquid'that fails to evaporate in the evaporator and otherwise would tend to collect in the bottom thereof.

The operation of this form of our invention is as follows:

' the liquid already inconduit 541s f r ed'up- Liquid ammonia is admitted to evaporator 15 through conduit 14'. The ammonia evaporates in the evaporator and the pressure there in increases as was described in connection with Figs. 4 and 5.' This increase in pressure 1 is transmitted through conduit 136 toleg-137 and depresses the liquid level therein to --h and raises the level in'leg 139 to 71),. Theincrease in pressure is also transmitted through conduit 146 to withinvessel147- and through conduit 145 to within vessel 142. In vessel 147 it forces liquid upwardly through conduits 150 and 154. As conduit 149- cannot supply liquid fast enough to compensate for the liquid forced into conduits 150 and.154, the level in vessel 147 dropsbut obviously it can drop only t9 the top of conduit 152. There after the level in conduit 152 is depressed and conduit 140 into leg 139 and wardly therein and into'conduit 153. When thelevel in conduit 152 has reached H the top of the column in conduits 154 and 153 has just reached the top of the latter conduit and the liquid is suddenly discharged into tunnel shaped member 151. At this time the levels .-h, and it, have just been reached in legs 137 153. Hence this column of liquid in conduit 141 serves as a seal between vessel 142 and leg 139.

There is now an open passageway from evaporator 15, through conduits 146, 154 and 153, funnel shaped member 151 and conduit 155', to absorber 21 and also from absorber 21, through conduit-140 to leg 139. Thus the pressure in both legs is equalized and the liquid column in U-shaped member 138 starts to oscillate. Duringthe'first oscillation, hydrogen gas is sucked from absorber 21 through hydrogen gas, the presence of which in leg 137 will be explained presently, is forced therefrom through conduit 136 to the lower part of the e'vaproator. This hydrogen displaces an equal quantity of ammonia-hydrogen gas and this latter gas passes from the upper part of the evaporator through conduits 146, 154 and 153, "funnelshaped member 151 and conduit 155., to absorber 21. The lower end of conduit 154 has not as yet been scaled by liquid as the liquid in conduit 150 has not had time to pass downwardly therethrough in suflicient quantities to fill conduit 152 up" to the lower end of conduit 154. 1

By the time this first oscillation is finished, that is, when the level in'leg 137 is at-its highest and the level in leg 139 is at its lowest point,-suflicient time has elapsed for the low er end of conduit 154 to have beensealed by liquid in conduit 152 and the passageway from the-evaporator to the absorber closed. When the-level now rises in leg 139 and falls in leg 137, hydrogen in leg 139 is forced therefrom, through conduit 141, vessel 142 and conduit 145 into leg 137, where it remains until forced into evaporator 15 during the next series of oscillations.

As the communication between the evaporator and, absorber has been interrupted, the

liquid is maintained invessel 147. Hence it is Additional liquid seen that the force generated, due to the evaporation of ammonia in the evaporator, may be utilized to promote circulation of liquid between the absorber and the generator as well as to promote the circulation of gases between the evaporator and the absorber.

While we have shown and described several forms of our invention, it is to be understood that the principles involved may be applied in other ways without detracting fromthe spirit orator, an alternating motion member comprising a movable body, connections between sa1d member and sa1d vessels, said member being adapted upon movement of said body to transfer fluid through said connections from one vessel to the other and means motivated by changes of condition, within said apparatus to actuate said member,

2. Refrigerating apparatus comprising vessels constituting an absorber and an evaporator, an alternating motion member comprising a reciprocating body, connections between said member-and said vessels, said f sa1d evaporator and means tohquei-y fluid member being adapted, upon reciprocation 0 said body, to-transfer fluid through said connections from one vessel to the other and. means ,whereby changes of pressure within said apparatus reciprocate said body.

3. Refrigerating apparatus comprising vessels constituting an absorber and an evaporator, an alternating motion member comprising a movable liquid body, connections between said member and said vessels, said member being adapted upon movement ofsaid liquid body to transfer fluid through said connections from one vessel to the other and means forming part of and operativedue to factors wholly within said apparatus move saidliquid body.

4. Refrigerating apparatus comprising vessels constituting an absorber and an evaporator, an alternating. motion member comprlslng a movable body, connectlons between sa1d member and Said vessels, sa1d member being adapted upon movement of said body to transfer fluid through said connections from one vessel to the other and means to ere-- ate a pressure diiierential within said apparatus acting on said body to move the same.

5. Refrigerating apparatus comprising vessels constituting an absorber and an evaporator, an alternating motion member comprising a movable liquid body, connections etween said member and said vessels, said -member being adapted upon movement of said liquid body to transfer fluid through said connections from one vessel-to the other and means to create a pressure difierential within inseam said apparatus acting on said body to move the same. I

6. Refrigerating apparatus comprising vessels constituting an absorber and an evaporator, an alternating motion member comprising a pair of interconnected vertically disposed legs adapted to hold liquid, connections between said member and said vessels, said member being adapted, upon oscillation, of liquid in said legs, to transfer fluid through said connections from one vessel to the other and means to oscillate liquid in said member.

7 Refrigeratingapparatus comprising an evaporator, an absorber, a vessel, a U-tube, said vessel being divided into separated compartments, necting said absorber with said compart ments, a conduit connecting said absorber with one leg of said U-tube, a conduit connecting said evaporator with the other leg of said U-tube, conduits connecting one of said separated compartments of said vessel interposed in the last mentioned conduit.

8. hose steps in the processof refrigerating through the agency of an absorptionsystem including an absorber and an evaporator which consist in alternately causing a rise and fall of pressure in the system, moving a body due to said rise and fall of pressure and transporting gaseous fluid between the evaporator and absorber due to movementof said body.

9. Thosesteps in the process of refrigerating through the agency of an absorption system including'an absorber and an evaporator which consist in alternately causing a rise and fall of pressure in the system, moving a body due to said rise and fall of pressure and circulating gaseous fluid between and through the evaporator and absorber due to movement of said body.

, 10. These steps in the process of refrigerating through the agency of an absorption system including an absorber and an evaporator whichconsist'in producing a rise of pressure in the system, elevating a body due to said rise of pressure, suddenly releasing the pres sure and causing the body to escend and transporting gaseous fluid between the evap ,to said rise of pressure, suddenly releasing the a level equalizing conduits conin the system, elevating a 'erator'and absorber "of said body.

mg arise and fall of pressure in the pressure and causing the body of liquid to descend and transporting gaseous fluid between the evaporator and absorber due to the descent of said body of liquid.

12. Those steps in the process of refrigerating through the agency of an absorption sys-- tem including an absorber and an evaporator which consist in producing a rise and fall of pressure in the system, oscillating a body of liquid due to said rise and fall of pressure and transporting gaseous fluid between the evaporator and absorber due to said oscillation. a

13. Those steps in the process of refrigerat-- ing through the agency of an absorption system including an absorber and an evaporator 'which consist in producing a rise and fall of pressure in the system, oscillating a body of liquid due to said rise and fall of pressure and circulating gaseous fluid between and through the evaporator and absorber due to said oscillation.

14. Those steps in the process of refrigerating through the agency of an absorption system including an absorber and an evaporator which consist in producing a rise and fall of pressure in the evaporator, oscillating a body of liquid due to said rise and fall of pressure and transporting gaseous fluid between the evaporator and absorber due to said oscillation.

15. Those steps in the process of refrigerating through the; agency of an absorption system including an absorber and an evaporator which consist in producin a rise of pressure iody of liquid due to said rise of ressure, suddenly releasing the pressure an causing the body of liquid to oscillate and transportin gaseous fluid be-, tween the evaporator and a sorber due to the oscillation of said bodyof (liquid.

16. Those steps in the process of refrigerat 'ing through the agency of an absorptionsystem including a generator and an absorber which consist in alternatelyca a rise and fall of pressure in the system,*mov1ng a body- 1 due'to said rise and fall of pressure and-transporting absorption liquid-between the genin response to movement\ 17. Those steps in the of refrigerating throu h the agency of-an a rption system inclu ing a generator, an absorberand an 'evaporator'whic consist in alternately .causmoving a body d'ueeto saidriseand' all bf pressure, transporting gaseous fluid between the evil rater and absorberdue to movement of said y and transporting absorption liq-- uid between the generator and absorber due to movementof said body.

l In testimony whereof we hereunto o,ur

signatures.

'BALTZAR CARL :vorr. PLATEN.

CARL GEORG MUN TERS. 

